The 5 E's of a Science Lesson

Engage: Activity which will focus student's attention, stimulte their thinking, and access prior knowledge.

Students...
•Demonstration

•Reading

•Free Write

•Analyze a Graphic Organizer

•KWL

•Brainstorming

Teachers...
•Creates Interest.

•Generates curiosity.

•Raises questions.

•Elicits responses that uncover what the students know or think about the concept/topic.

Explore: Activity which gives students time to think and investigate/test/make/decisions/problem solve, and collect information.

Students...
•Perform an Investigation

•Search Authentic Resources to Collect Information

•Solve a Problem

•Construct a Model

Teachers...

•Encourage the students to work together without direct instruction from the teacher.

•Observe and listen to the students as they interact.

•Ask probing questions to redirect the students’ investigations when necessary.

•Provide time for students to puzzle through problems.

Explain: Activity which allows students to analyze or draw upon their exploration. Student's understanding is clarified and modified through a reflective activity. 

Students...
•Student Analysis & Explanation

•Supporting Ideas with Evidence

•Structured Questioning

•Reading and Discussion

•Teacher Explanation

•Thinking Skill Activities:  compare, classify, error analysis

Teachers...

•Encourage the students to explain concepts and definitions in their own words.

•Ask for justification (evidence) and clarification from students.

•Formally provide definitions, explanations, and new labels.

•Use students’ previous experiences as basis for explaining concepts.

Elaborate: Activity which expands and solidifies student thinking while applying it to a real-world situation.

Students...

•Problem Solving

•Decision Making

•Experimental Inquiry

•Thinking Skill Activities:  compare, classify, apply

Teachers...

•Encourage the students to explain concepts and definitions in their own words.

•Ask for justification (evidence) and clarification from students.

•Formally provide definitions, explanations, and new labels.

•Use students’ previous experiences as basis for explaining concepts.

Evaluate/Assess: Activity which allows the teacher to assess studnet performence and/or understandings of concepts, skills, processes, and applications.

Students...
•May Be Any Previous Activity

•Develop a Scoring Tool or Rubric

•Tests

•Performance Assessment

•Produce a Product

•Journal Entry

•Portfolio

Teachers...

•Observe the students as they apply new concepts and skills.

•Assess students’ knowledge and/or skills.

•Look for evidence that the students have changed their thinking or behaviors.

•Allow students to assess their own learning and group-process skills.

•Ask open-ended questions, such as:  Why do you think. . .?  What evidence do you have?  What do you know about z?  How would you explain y?